Device and method for the heating of food

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for heating food comprising a frame, a pan or basket having an opening into which the food to be heated can be placed, which pan or basket can be coupled to the frame by means of coupling means and in which the frame comprises a heating element and a fan for circulating heated air in the pan or basket, and a drive for rotating the pan or basket about a non-vertical rotation axis during the heating of food in a heating position of the frame. The frame is designed such that the pan or basket can be coupled to the frame while the pan or basket is on a supporting surface with its opening directed upwards. The invention also comprises a method for heating food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for heating food. A device of thistype is known from WO 0124673, Hoebrigs. The drawback of the knowndevice is that the pan or basket has to be filled with food through asmall opening with the pan or basket being installed inside the device,which is awkward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome this disadvantage, the device is designed in thatthe frame is designed so that the pan or basket can be coupled to theframe of the device while the pan or basket is on a supporting surfaceand has its opening directed upward. As a result, the pan or basket canbe filled in a simple manner while preventing the problem of foodfalling outside the pan or basket during filling.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed withsupporting feet. As a result, it is readily possible to couple the panor basket to the frame and keep it in the heating position duringheating.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a framethat is tiltably connected to a baseplate. This ensures a stablearrangement of the device on a supporting surface.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a springarranged between the frame and a baseplate. This ensures that littleforce is required to tilt the pan or basket to assume the heatingposition.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a sensorfor detecting when the frame is in the heating position. As a result,the operation of the device is made dependent on the position of theframe, making it possible, for example, to make safeguards dependent onthis position.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed with aswitch for switching on the drives, fan or heating element with a sensorconnected to the switch. As a result, switching on the drive, the heaterand/or the fan can be made dependent on the position of the frame, as aresult of which mistakes during use and thus potentially dangeroussituations are avoided.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with resilientcouplers for clamping the pan or basket against the frame. This ensuresthat the pan or basket can be coupled to the frame in a simple manner.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed withresilient couplers that can be moved simultaneously into an uncoupledposition by displacing a common ring. This ensures that the pan orbasket can be uncoupled from the frame in a simple manner.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed withcouplers having a beveled edge. This ensures that the pan or basket canbe coupled to the lid by placing the frame with the lid over the pan orbasket and pressing the lid onto the pan or basket.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a couplerthat can rotate in a bearing and a flexible ring is provided between thebearing and the coupler. This ensures that the thermal expansionresulting from the heating does not influence the play in the bearing.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with the fanand heating element provided on a holder and the coupling means rotatewith respect to the holder. This ensures that the fan and/or heatingelement have an approximately stationary position relative to the frame,as a result of which the power supply can be effected in a simple mannervia a power lead.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed withthe motor mounted on the holder. This ensures that the motor can drivethe fan directly, which is easier and leads to fewer failures intransmission belts and the like.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a panmade of heat resistant glass. This ensures that a pan is available whichis easy to clean.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed with apan having a reflective layer. This ensures that better use is made ofthe radiation for browning and/or cooking the food.

In accordance with a further improvement, the device is designed with apan having indentations. This ensures that the pan is easy to handle andprevents the food from simply sliding, as it is forced to roll overindentations.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with a pan orbasket having partitions. This ensures that various kinds of foods canbe heated simultaneously.

In accordance with an improvement, the device is designed with the framecoupled to a manipulator for automatically coupling or uncoupling thepan or basket and tilting frame. This ensures that the food can beheated automatically, the device, for example, forming part of a machinefor heating food automatically.

The invention also comprises a method. By means of this method, the panor basket can be filled in a simple manner, the food, after the tiltingas a result of the rotation of the food, being able to move and rollalong the side wall of the pan or basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained below with reference to a number ofexemplary embodiments with the aid of a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross section through a first exemplaryembodiment of a heating device for food;

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of the device of FIG. 1 with apartially cut-away cover and a detail of the drive;

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic side view and a partial cross section of thedevice from FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic side view of a second exemplary embodimentof a heating device for food.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The heating device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a lid 21 whichcan be coupled to a pan 18. The lid 21 is rotatably mounted in a cover 5and is provided to this end at its circumference with a bearing ring 16which can rotate in the cover 5 about a rotation axis 19 and which ispositioned inside the cover 5 in the axial direction by, inter alia, anedge 17. The edge 17 protects the underside of the lid 21, preventing auser from accidentally touching the hot parts of the lid 21.

Six springs 30 are provided on the lid 21 for coupling the pan 18 to thelid 21, which springs are provided, at their loose ends with a hook 29which can grip around an upper edge of the pan 18 (in FIG. 1, thesprings 30 on the left-hand side of the figure have been drawn in aposition which is rotated about thirty degrees for the sake of clarity).As the lid 21 is pressed onto the pan 18, the upper edge of the pan 18presses the hooks aside until these hooks 29 fall around the upper edgeand grip the pan 18 securely in such a manner that the pan 18 and thelid 21 are coupled. A resilient ring 20 is placed between the pan 18 andthe lid 21 as a seal. This resilient ring 20 and the springs 30 aredesigned such that the hooks 29 can engage with the upper edge when thering 20 is pressed, following which the ring 20 presses the upper edgedownward in such a manner that the latter is pressed down against thehook 29.

On that side of the lid 21 which faces the pan 18, a coiled heatingelement 23 is arranged, as well as a fan 24. The fan 24 is attached to ashaft 25 of a motor 7. A grid 22 is arranged on the underside of the lid21 on order to protect the heating element 23 and the fan 24. This grid22 preferably consists of small-meshed gauze made of thin metal wire, sothat a good permeability is ensured for the infra-red radiationemanating from the heating element 23. The grid 22 can be detached fromthe lid 21 for ease of cleaning.

In the embodiment shown, the lid 21 is made of metal, but it is likewisepossible to use other materials. During switching on of the heatingelement 23 the lid 21 heats up, resulting in an increase in itsdiameter. An expansion rim 15 is provided between the part of the lid 21which becomes hot and the bearing ring 16 which can absorb the increasein diameter of the heated part of the lid 21 so that the bearing playbetween the bearing ring 16 and the cover 5 does not become too small.

Before the pan 18 can be detached from the lid 21, the six hooks 29 haveto be moved outwards simultaneously. In order to achieve this, a ring 14rests on the springs 30, the springs 30 being shaped in such a mannerthat the hooks 29 move outwards when the ring 14 is pressed downwards.The springs 30 and the ring 14 rotate with the lid 21. The ring 14 has aflat top surface which moves under push-buttons 1 when the lid 21rotates. By means of the push-buttons 1, the ring 14 can be pushed downas a result of which the hooks 29 move outwards and the pan 18 isdetached from the lid 21 and the lid 21, together with the cover 5 canbe lifted off the pan 18. The push-buttons 1 are pushed upwards by thesprings 30 and the ring 14. The upward movement of the push-button 1 inthe cover 5 is limited by a pin 2. Handles 33 are arranged in the cover5 for easy operation of the push-buttons 1.

The motor 7 can rotate with respect to the lid 21, for which purpose abearing ring 26 is incorporated in the lid 21, enabling this rotation.The motor 7 is clamped inside a holder 8 by means of a clamp 34. Theholder 8 is coupled to the cover 5 by supports 4. The heating element 23is fastened to the underside of the motor 7 and a supply lead 10 for theheating element 23 runs to a switch 13 via the underside of the motor 7.A supply lead 9 for the motor 7 also runs to the switch 13. The motor 7is also used for rotating the lid 21 inside the cover 5. To this end, apulley 6 is arranged on the shaft 25 at the top of the motor 7. A drivebelt 3 is tensioned around the pulley 6 and also runs around a disc 36.The disc 36 is mounted on a shaft 31 which can rotate at the top in abearing (not shown) mounted in the cover 5. At its bottom, the shaft 31is provided with a drive roll 37 which is pressed against the bearingring 16 by a spring 32. By selecting the diameters of the pulley 6, thedisc 36 and the drive roll 37, the speed of rotation of the lid 12 andthus of the pan 18 can be selected.

The cover 5 is provided with two supports 28 which are dimensioned suchthat there is a distance a between the supports and a table when therotation axis 19 is vertical and the pan 18 is on the table and clampedsecurely by the hooks 29. After tilting, when a rotation axis 19 of thepan 18 is horizontal, the supports 28 rest on the table by means of asupport plate 27 and a support plate 38 and the pan 18 can rotatefreely. In order to facilitate the tilting, a handle 35 is provided onthe cover 5. It will be clear that it is also possible to haveembodiments where the supports 28 and the support plates 27 and 38 aredesigned in such a manner that the rotation axis 18 is not at an angleof ninety degrees to the vertical when the support plates 27 and 38 reston the table, but are at another angle, different from zero.

A sensor 11 is arranged in the cover 5 for detecting this tiltedposition in which the pan 18 can rotate freely. When the sensor 11detects the tilted position, the heating element 23, the fan 24 and thusthe rotational drive of the pan 18 can be switched on.

In use, the pan 18 described above is filled with food to be heated,coupled to the lid 21, and subsequently the pan 18 is tilted. Then, theheating element 23, the fan 24 and the drive of the lid 21 are switchedon and the food is heated. After a few minutes, when the food is cooked,the heating element 23, the fan 24 and the drive of the lid 21 areswitched off, the pan 18 is put on the table. Subsequently, thepush-buttons 1 are pushed in, as a result of which the hooks 29 moveoutwards and the cover 5 can be lifted from the pan 18. The heated foodcan then be taken out of the pan 18.

It has been assumed in the embodiment shown that the pan 18 rotatescontinuously in the same direction. In a situation where the directionof rotation of the pan 18 vary and the rotation in one direction is ineach case limited, the motor 7 can be securely mounted in the lid 21,while the supply leads 9 and 10 can run directly to the motor. In thiscase, however, a sensor and/or switch in order to limit the rotation isrequired. One possible embodiment may feature a reverse clutch between amotor and the pan 18, the sensor switching the reverse clutch andthereby reversing the rotational direction of the pan 18. Optionally,the drive for the pan 18 and the fan 24 are designed as separate unitsand there are two motors which can be operated independently. As aresult, the use of the pulley 6, the disc 36 and the drive belt 3 isredundant, resulting in fewer failures.

The pan 18 may have a diameter of between 20 and 60 cm and a depth of 15to 30 cm. The speed of rotation of the pan 18 is approximately 10revolutions per minute, if desired between 5 and 15 revolutions perminute. Optionally, the supports 28 of the device are designed suchthat, during the heating, the pan rotates about an axis which is at anangle to the horizontal plane, for example an angle of thirty degrees,so that the food partially rests against the side wall and on the bottomof the pan 18 during heating.

The pan 18 may be made of heat-resistant glass. The surface of the glassis preferably metallized or the glass is made to be reflective inanother way, so that the infra-red radiation from the heating element 23reflects on the pan 18 and further heats the food present in the pan 18.Other embodiments are likewise possible, such as a metal pan or also abasket. In one embodiment, the pan 18 or basket, respectively, may beprovided with partitions, which may be removable, if desired. In thatcase, different kinds of food are placed in the various compartments ofthe pan 18, which can be heated separately. Indentations 12 may beprovided in order to be able to pick up the pan easily. Theseindentations may also be useful for moving the food in the pan 18, asthese indentations interrupt any possible sliding of the food, so thatit starts to “roll” and is better heated on all sides.

In the embodiment shown, a simple switch 13 is shown for operating thedevice. Obviously, the device may also be provided with features whichprevent overheating of the heating element 23 and it is also possible todesign the device to have a programmable controller, a timer and otherfeatures known for the use of the device in the preparation of meals.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art, that the abovementionedcover 5 may be moved by a manipulator which, for example, forms part ofa machine for heating food, rather than by a cook. Once the food hasbeen place in the pan 18, if desired automatically, the cover 5 and thepan 18 are coupled by the manipulator and subsequently also tilted.

After heating, the pan 18 and the cover 5 are uncoupled by displacingthe ring 14 using a drive fitted into the cover 5 for this purpose. Thepan 18 is removed and automatically emptied, if desired, into a smalltray which can be taken out of the machine. The machine may be providedwith a payment system with selection means, so that an individual may,after payment, have a portion of food heated in the machine, with themachine carrying out the heating in the manner described above.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the heating device, in which mostcomponents are more or less identical to the components of the firstexemplary embodiment. In the second embodiment, the cover 5 is pivotablyattached between two supporting legs 43 by means of, inter alia, a hinge40. The supporting legs 43 are attached to a baseplate 45 which may beplaced on a worktop, for example. A fastening eye 41 is fixed to thecover 5 and a fastening eye 44 is fixed to the baseplate 45. A spring 42is arranged between the fastening eyes 41 and 44, which spring isdesigned such that the cover 5 with all the components attached to it,and the pan 18 are tilted upwards by the effect of the spring force ofthe spring 42, in such a manner that the rotation axis 19 of the pan isat an angle with the vertical, as indicated in FIG. 4. Positioningprojections 46 are fitted on the baseplate 45 into which the pan 18′,indicated in FIG. 4 by a broken line, can be placed.

When using the heating device according to FIG. 4, the pan 18, which isfilled with the foodstuffs to be heated, is placed on the baseplate 45between the positioning projections 46. By pulling the handle 35, thecover 5 is pressed downwards until the hooks 29 grip around the rim ofthe pan 18 and the pan 18 is coupled to the cover 5. The force of thespring 42 lifts the pan 18 up until the rotation axis 19 of the pan isat an angle to the vertical. Then, the heating device is switched on, asdescribed above. Once the foodstuffs are sufficiently heated, the pan ispressed between the positioning projections 46 again and the hooks arepressed outwards by pressing the buttons 1, causing the pan 18 to bedetached from the cover 5. The cover 5 can now move upwards again andthe pan 18 with the heated foodstuffs can be removed. It will be clearto those skilled in the art, that the hooks 29, the positioningprojections 46 and the other components are designed such that the cover5 is able to make this tilting movement. If desired, the pan can slideover the baseplate 45 during the movement or the hinge 40 is designedsuch that restricted horizontal movements of the cover 5 are possible.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A method for heating food comprising: filling a pan or basket through an opening while the pan or basket is on a supporting surface with its opening directed upwards; coupling the pan or basket to the frame of a heating device; heating the pan or basket with the heating device; and rotating the pan or basket during heating about a non-vertical rotation axis.
 20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising circulating heated air in the pan or basket.
 21. A method for heating food comprising: providing a pan or basket having an opening into which food to be heated can be placed, wherein the pan or basket is configured to be removably coupled to a frame such that the frame can be coupled to the frame while the pan or basket in on a supporting surface with its opening directed upwards; tiltably coupling the frame to a baseplate, the frame including a heating element and a fan for circulating heated air in the pan or basket; and providing a drive for rotating the pan or basket about a non-vertical rotation axis during heating of the food in a heating position of the frame.
 22. A method according to claim 21, comprising providing supporting feet for supporting the frame in the heating position, the supporting feet configured to stay clear of the supporting surface when the frame is coupled to the pan or basket.
 23. A method according to claim 21, comprising arranging a spring element between the frame and the baseplate for holding the frame in the heating position.
 24. A method according to claim 21, comprising arranging a sensor in the frame for detecting whether the frame is in the heating position.
 25. A method according to claim 24, comprising coupling a switch to the sensor, the sensor coupled to and configured to switch on at least one of the drive, the heating element and the fan.
 26. A method according to claim 21, comprising coupling resilient coupling elements to the pan or gasket, the resilient coupling elements configured to clamp the pan or basket against the frame.
 27. A method according to claim 26, in which the resilient coupling elements can be moved simultaneously into an uncoupling position by displacing a common ring.
 28. A method according to claim 26, wherein the resilient coupling elements include a bevelled edge configured to be pressed outwards by the pan or basket during the coupling of the pan or basket to the frame.
 29. A method according to claim 21, wherein the pan or basket is removably coupled to the frame by a coupling means, the method comprising: providing a bearing configured to allow the frame to rotate; and providing a flexible ring between the bearing and a part of the coupling means which is near the heating element.
 30. A method according to claim 21, wherein the fan and the heating element are provided on a holder, the method comprising configuring a coupling means to rotate with respect to the holder, wherein coupling means removably couples the frame to the pan or basket.
 31. A method according to claim 30, comprising mounting a motor coupled to the drive on the holder.
 32. A method according to claim 21, wherein the pan is made of heat-resistant glass.
 33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the pan is provided with a reflective layer.
 34. A method according to claim 32, comprising providing the pan with indentations for use as a handle and/or stirring means.
 35. A method according to claim 21, wherein the pan or basket includes partitions.
 36. A method according to claim 21, comprising coupling the frame to a manipulator, the manipulator configured to automatically couple and/or uncouple the pan or basket and tilting the frame.
 37. A method according to claim 21, comprising coupling the frame to a manipulator, the manipulator configured to automatically tilt the frame.
 38. A method according to claim 21, comprising configuring at least one of the frame and the baseplate such that the frame may be tilted from a resting position wherein the pan or basket is on the supporting surface with its opening directed upwards to the heating position. 